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THE STATES

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Adamawa
No fewer than 102, 560 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
were registered by the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA) between January and March this year, its Executive Secretary, Malam Haruna Hamman, has said.
Hamman said last Thursday in Yola that most of those registered were victims of various insurgents attacks and other conflicts within and outside the state.
The scribe explained that the displaced persons were spread across the 21 local government areas of the state with Madagali local government, which is on the border with Borno, leading with 31,666 IDPs.
He commended the state and local governments for their support to those displaced by the conflicts, and called for more assistance to them and the communities hosting them.

Benue
Assistant Parish Priest, Saint Theresa’s Catholic Parish,
Makurdi, Reverend Fr. Isaac Shityo, yesterday advised Nigerians to seek God’s intervention for the rescue of the Chibok girls.
Shityo, who said this at a sermon yesterday in Makurdi, lamented over the situation where people were insulting and criticising security agents following the delay in rescuing the abducted girls.
“Boko Haram is not the only body committing crime in our society today. Here in Makurdi, we see and hear all kinds of crime perpetrated by our children. Are they too insurgents? “As Christians, we need to go to any length to bring up our children in the best ways possible,” he said.
Shityo said that God and the country’s forefathers who paid supreme prices for the unity of Nigeria would not forgive the present generation if they destroyed the legacy left.

Borno
The Borno State Government yesterday donated N10
million to victims of last week’s suspected Boko Haram attack in Limankara village in Gwoza Local Government Area of the state.
Governor Kashim Shettima, represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Investment, Dr Asabe Vilita, said he was deeply touched by the incident.
Receiving the donation, the District Head of the community, Mr Baba Lawan, thanked the government for the gesture, and pledged to be fair in the distribution of the money.
Lawan said that about 80 per cent of the houses in the community were burnt by the insurgents in addition to some places of worship.

Jigawa
The Jigawa State Government says it has approved the
release of N718.8 million to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the newly established State University in Kafin-Hausa.
The State Commissioner for Information, Youths and Sports, Alhaji Babandi Ibrahim, explained that N604.3 million was approved as a counterpart fund for SUBEB.
According to him, the Federal Government will also contribute to the fund to execute projects in primary and junior secondary schools across the state.
He said N114.5 million was approved for the newly established State University, Kafin-Hausa.
The commissioner said the fund was approved during the State Executive Council meeting held last Wednesday.
Ibrahim said the government was committed to providing quality education in the state.

Kaduna
Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State last Thursday
directed the Ministries of Works, Land and Education to intervene in resolving the recent crisis in Kachia following a trespass on a Muslims’ prayer ground.
Yero gave the directive during a visit to the town after the crisis which led to loss of lives and property on Sunday.
The crisis erupted when part of the fence surrounding the Muslim prayer ground was allegedly pulled down by a Christian group, claiming that the fence had blocked access to their community.
Yero, in a statement signed by his Media aide, Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki, directed the ministries to work together in resolving the issue.
The governor also called on people in the area to educate and prevent their children from engaging in violent acts and other social vices.
Katsina
A Sociology lecturer at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua
University, Katsina, Dr Kwaghmande Joseph, has said that Nigeria must tackle corruption in order to improve its image in the international community.
Joseph said this yesterday in a paper entitled: “The Challenges of Corruption on Ethical Practices and Values of Nigeria in the 21st Century.”
He presented the paper at an interactive summit on anti-corruption, ethics and values organised by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values in collaboration with an NGO, Global Network, Monitoring and Development Initiative.
Earlier, the Executive Director of the NGO, Mr Muhammad Haruna, said the summit was organised for local government chairmen, vice chairmen and secretaries of councils in the state.
The Chairman of Faskari Local Government Council, Alhaji Isyaku Ahmad, averred that local councils should not be viewed as the most corrupt institution in the country.

Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government says it will spend N4
billion on the provision and improvement of infrastructure and social amenities, including water, electricity and roads in different parts of the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Sani Kanya, who disclosed this to journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, said that out of the amount, about N1.2 billion would be spent on digitisation of equipment at the state-owned radio and television stations.
Kanya said a committee had been set up to ensure the installation of the digital equipment in the two stations by January 2015.
The commissioner said that the installation of the digital equipment was in line with the 2008 Geneva global rules for the replacement of analogue equipment in media organisations.

Kwara
Kwara State Government said it would spend N7.2 billion
on the Ilorin metropolis water reticulation project.
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Investment, Promotion and Strategy, Mr Yomi Ogunsola, said this at a news conference in Ilorin.
Ogunsola said the state government had spent more than N5.2 billion on the project, bringing it to about 98 per cent completion stage.
He said N2 billion would be used from the proposed N23 billion bond to complete the water project.
Ogunsola said the bond would also be spent on the renovation of 120 schools  and the  indoor Sports Hall of  the State Stadium Complex in Ilorin.

Lagos
The members of the Nigerian Association of Women
Journalists (NAWOJ) have elected, Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole of the News Agency of Nigeria as its new president.
Omowole, polled 469 votes to defeat her opponent, Mrs Fatima Abdulkareem, who scored 198 votes in the 2014 NAWOJ elections in Badagry, Lagos.
In her acceptance speech yesterday, Omowole pledged to give NAWOJ a responsive leadership that would encourage capacity building of its members to enhance their profession.
She assured that her tenure would wear a human face, adding that the new executive would initiate a website for the association for global interactions.
Earlier, Malam Mohammad Garba, National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), advised the new officers to embark on capacity building of their colleagues to be able to match the times.

Osun
Authorities of Osun State Polytechnic, (OSPOLY), Iree,
have directed the staff of the institution to resume administrative and academic activities today, Monday.
The Registrar, Mr Busari Salawu, who gave the directive last Thursday in Osogbo, said, “all members of staff are enjoined to resume at their respective duty posts on Monday, May 19.
“Students who are on mid-semester break are to resume for academic duties on the afore-mentioned date,” the statement added. It will be recalled that members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) have been on strike in the last 10 months.
The union is demanding increased welfare packages as well as improved funding of polytechnic education in the country.

Zamfara
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC),
said it had arrested a Principal, Mr Mahmud Gaya, for alleged illegal registration of 99 ‘students’ for WAEC, NECO and JSCE examinations.
The Public Relations Officer of Gusau Command of NSCDC, Mr Aminu Ismail, said on Thursday that Gaya is the principal of Alheri Group of Schools, Gusau, and that the matter was reported to the command by the school’s proprietress, Mrs Chioma Ugorji.
Ismail said Gaya registered 27 and 36 candidates for WAEC and NECO examinations respectively, while each of the students paid N16, 650.
When questioned, the principal admitted doing so, saying it was a mistake.
He said he assumed the position of school principal since December 2008 and had never been found wanting. “I am married and have three children.”
The NSCDC said the suspect would soon appear in court.

L-R: NUJ National President, Mr Garba Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary, APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Representative of President of Nigeria, Alhaji Garba Kakarfi and former NAWOJ National President, Mrs Asabe Baba-nahaja, at the opening of NAWOJ national delegates conference in Badagry, Lagos, last Saturday.

L-R: NUJ National President, Mr Garba Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary, APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Representative of President of Nigeria, Alhaji Garba Kakarfi and former NAWOJ National President, Mrs Asabe Baba-nahaja, at the opening of NAWOJ national delegates conference in Badagry, Lagos, last Saturday.

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RSU, Otonti Nduka Foundation Holds Centenary Conference, Unveil Book on Values in Nigeria

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Rivers State University and the Otonti Nduka Foundation for Values Education jointly hosted a two-day National Conference on 8 and 9 May 2026 to examine the state of values in Nigeria.

The two days conference held at Rivers State University convocation arena brought together academics, policymakers, legal experts and education leaders under the theme _“Trends and Challenges in Upholding Values in Nigeria.”_

The gathering focused on policy gaps, curriculum reform, and the role of ethics in public service and education.

The event opened on Friday with remarks from Vice Chancellor Prof. Chief Isaac Zeb-Obipi, who stressed the need to address declining moral and civic values across Nigeria’s education and public sectors. A book of abstracts for the plenary sessions was also presented to participants.

Key speakers included former Attorney General Chief Dr Kanu Agabi, SAN; NERDC Executive Secretary Prof. Shehu Salisu; Prof. Hauwa Imam, FNAE, of the University of Abuja; former Rivers SUBEB Chairman Ven Dr Fyneface Akah, ; former NIMASA DG Dr Hon. Dakuku Adol-Peterside; and RSU Director of ICT Prof. Sunny Orike.

Discussions centered on integrating values education into schools, tertiary institutions and public institutions, alongside the impact of technology on moral development among young Nigerians. Panel and plenary sessions produced practical recommendations for curriculum and policy reform.

On Saturday, the foundation marked its centenary with the unveiling of the book _Otonti Nduka in History_, launched by Chief Engr. Grant Offor, FNSE. The Nigerian Academy of Education held a ceremonial procession led by its President Prof. Olu Jegede and the Ikwerre Professors Forum.

In a communiqué, participants called for stronger collaboration between government, civil society and academia to mainstream values education nationwide. They recommended reviewing teacher training curricula and expanding digital platforms to promote ethical civic engagement, with the foundation pledging to share the outcomes with education authorities for implementation.

Dignitaries present included Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide as Chief Host, Prof. Emeritus Chief T. Uzodimma Nwala, the Ikenga 1 of Mbaise and first philosophy student of Prof. Otonti Nduka, alongside scholars and community leaders.

 

Amadi Akujobi

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Shell, MAN Back Rivers’ Drive for Expanded Gas Supply to Industries

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The Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, has reaffirmed support for efforts to expand gas distribution infrastructure in Rivers State as part of initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable, cleaner and more reliable energy for industries across the South-South region.

The commitment was highlighted during the SNG–MAN Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, where stakeholders from the industrial and public sectors examined the role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, boosting local production and strengthening energy security.

Speaking at the forum on behalf of the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, the company’s Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos Ejesi, described natural gas as a critical component of Nigeria’s energy mix and a key driver of sustainable industrial growth.

According to him, Nigeria’s gas development agenda has reached a stage where policy direction must be matched with practical implementation capable of addressing the energy challenges confronting manufacturers.

He noted that pipeline gas offers industries a cleaner, more dependable and cost-effective energy alternative capable of supporting uninterrupted operations, reducing emissions and improving production efficiency.

“Gas is the backbone of manufacturing, and we are encouraged by the growing recognition among stakeholders of the need for cleaner and more reliable energy solutions,” he said.

Ejesi stressed the need for sustained collaboration among energy providers, government institutions and industrial stakeholders to maximise the country’s gas resources for economic development.

He added that improved gas infrastructure would strengthen manufacturing value chains, enhance productivity and promote more competitive industrial operations across Rivers State and the wider South-South region.

Participants at the forum also emphasised the importance of expanding energy infrastructure as a pathway to unlocking industrial capacity, reducing operating costs and promoting sustainable industrial development.

Representing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with private sector investors to revitalise industrial activities in the state.

He identified key projects targeted under the initiative to include the revival of the Ahoada Industrial Park, the New Port City project and the proposed Bonny Industrial Park, all aimed at stimulating economic growth and expanding industrial opportunities along the Bonny corridor.

According to the governor, the long-term vision is to position Rivers State as a leading manufacturing hub in Southern Nigeria through strategic public-private partnerships.

Governor Fubara also commended Shell Nigeria Gas and MAN for sustaining engagements geared towards improving industrial energy access, noting that gas infrastructure development remains central to the state’s economic recovery plans.

He further observed that the gas sector presents enormous opportunities for economic growth, especially as global energy systems continue to shift towards cleaner energy sources.

The governor called on stakeholders to work collectively towards developing a practical and sustainable gas framework capable of supporting the state’s industrial and energy development objectives.

Chairman of MAN, Rivers and Bayelsa Branch, Elder Vincent Okuku, described gas as indispensable to industrial operations, noting that many manufacturers continue to struggle with the high cost of alternative energy sources.

Similarly, President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr. Chinyere Ngozi Nwoga, said the transition to natural gas had become increasingly necessary for businesses seeking stable and cost-efficient operations.

“Pipeline natural gas provides a more cost-effective and reliable source of energy for industries,” she stated.

Also speaking, former Chairman of MAN in Rivers and Bayelsa States, Mrs. Emilia Akpan, stressed the need to align energy infrastructure development with investment in human capacity.

She maintained that rebuilding the state’s economy would require not only reliable energy supply but also the development of technical skills needed to support long-term industrial growth.

 

By Kevin Nengia

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City Boy Movement Hails Onyesoh’s APC Primary Win

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The City Boy Movement in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers state has commended Senator Allwell Onyesoh on his victory in the APC primary election for Rivers East Senatorial District.

Chairman of the group in Etche, Dr. Fortune Uchenna Obi, spoke to journalists in Okehi Ward after participating in Monday’s direct primary. He described Onyesoh’s emergence as the party’s candidate for the 2027 senatorial election as a reflection of the people’s will.

Dr. Obi said the senator has performed well during his first term and deserves re-election. He also thanked FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, leader of the Renewed Hope Agenda and Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State, for supporting Onyesoh’s candidacy. According to him, Wike’s backing was instrumental to the senator’s nomination, clearance, and victory at the primary.

He further praised voters in Etche and across Rivers East for turning out in large numbers at ward centers and urged them to sustain the support to ensure Onyesoh’s success in the January 2027 general election.

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